Review and Evaluation of Hand-Arm Coordinate Systems for Measuring Vibration Exposure, Biodynamic Responses, and Hand Forces

The hand coordinate systems for measuring vibration exposures and biodynamic responses have been standardized, but they are not actually used in many studies. This contradicts the purpose of the standardization. The objectives of this study were to identify the major sources of this problem, and to help define or identify better coordinate systems for the standardization. This study systematically reviewed the principles and definition methods, and evaluated typical hand coordinate systems. This study confirms that, as accelerometers remain the major technology for vibration measurement, it is reasonable to standardize two types of coordinate systems: a tool-based basicentric (BC) system and an anatomically based biodynamic (BD) system. However, these coordinate systems are not well defined in the current standard. Definition of the standard BC system is confusing, and it can be interpreted differently; as a result, it has been inconsistently applied in various standards and studies. The standard hand BD system is defined using the orientation of the third metacarpal bone. It is neither convenient nor defined based on important biological or biodynamic features. This explains why it is rarely used in practice. To resolve these inconsistencies and deficiencies, we proposed a revised method for defining the realistic handle BC system and an alternative method for defining the hand BD system. A fingertip-based BD system for measuring the principal grip force is also proposed based on an important feature of the grip force confirmed in this study.

Microbial transformations of some monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids.

The absolute configurations of fragrances, flavours and drugs are often important for their special properties. The growing interest of organic chemists in chiral synthons has stimulated work on biotransformations, for which readily available and inexpensive compounds can be used as substrates. Microbial transformations of 1-menthenes like gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpinene, limonene and alpha-phellandrene give the corresponding 1,2-trans-diols with high stereospecificity. Because of the volatility and toxicity of these substrates, and their low solubility in aqueous solutions, a special fermentation technique has been developed in which the terpenes are fed continuously to extended cultures of Corynespora cassiicola or Diplodia gossypina. (4R)-Limonene is transformed by Gibberella cyanea to (1S,2S,4R)-p-menth-8-en-1,2-diol, but 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-limonene yields a 6-monohydroxylated product and a 6,10-dihydroxylated product with a 6-hydroxy-8,10-epoxy structure as the main metabolite. Vicinal diols are also formed from aliphatic terpenes, by reaction at the terminal isoprenoid groups. Some oxirane structures are found as intermediates. Acyclic sesquiterpenes often form complex mixtures when they are metabolized further. The products of the transformation of trans-nerolidol by several fungi are given as examples. Cyclic sesquiterpenes, with less flexible structures, are oxidized more specifically. Whereas longifolene is a very poor substrate for Corynespora cassiicola, isolongifolene is always hydroxylated at one of the methyl groups attached to C-7. The 14- or 15-hydroxy compounds are further oxidized, very fast, in the 3 position or 4 position.